Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge we have ever faced. We all contribute to it and are all affected by it, but we can also work together within our communities to combat it, today. Our leaflet outlines what steps communities and individuals can take to combat climate change. Click link below to read our leaflet.
RIO + 20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, is starting in a few days, the 20th of June. 
In advance of this conference, Ireland has published Our Sustainable Future, a Framework for Sustainable Development for Ireland. This report details Ireland’s commitments regarding Sustainable Development and particularly the promotion of the green economy.
The key challenges for sustainable development are explained, and the report details their proposed implementation methods.
The main challenges for Sustainable Development are the following:
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The destruction of Ireland’s blogs is a serious concern for the Irish environmental movement. It has implications for many interconnected issues such as habitats, biodiversity, energy and climate change.
Today, we have a guest post and bonus online article to our Winter Newsletter from Brian Morris who explains why efforts to tackle the thorny issue have failed and what we must do in the future.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Phil Hogan reveals true colours by delaying Climate Bill
The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership expressed disappointment at today’s announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, that a Climate Change Bill is not a priority. This represents a significant backtrack on the Government’s commitment to deliver climate change legislation by 2012.
Commenting on behalf of the Pillar today, Tara Connolly, convenor of the Pillar’s Climate and Energy Working Group, said
“This is paralysis by analysis. We are only 9 years away from our 2020 targets and we cannot wait another year to implement policies that reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions. The climate policy review by the Department of Environment clearly states that we will not meet our 2020 targets under current policies and measures. We need a Climate Change Bill to make sure this government and future governments don’t pass the buck.”
Minister Hogan intends to seek concessions for the agricultural sector. He claims that climate change concerns have to be balanced with food security in the context of an increasing global population.
Commenting on this on behalf of the Environmental Pillar, Molly Walsh of Friends of the Earth, also member of the Climate and Energy Working Group, said:
“With 7 billion people on earth, it is more important than ever that we reduce our carbon emissions. Ireland is never going to be the bread basket of the world and we must recognise the profound impacts that climate change will have on our food security. Inaction on climate change is a threat to food security, not action.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
This submission was developed using the Environmental Pillar processes but is not necessarily the policy of each member group in the pillar.
Environmental Pillar members:An Taisce. Bat Conservation Ireland,BirdWatch Ireland. CELT – Centre for Ecological Living and Training. Coast Watch. Coomhola Salmon Trust. Crann. ECO UNESCO. Feasta. Forest Friends. Friends of the Earth. Gluaiseacht. Grian. Hedge Laying Association of Ireland. Irish Doctors Environment Association. Irish Natural Forestry Foundation. Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Irish Seal Sanctuary. Irish Seed Saver Association. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Irish Wildlife Trust. Just Forests. The Organic Centre. Sonairte. Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. VOICE. Zero Waste Alliance Ireland.
CONTACT:
For further details, info, opinion, etc. please contact:
Michael Ewing. Co-ordinator, Environment Pillar of Social Partnership -
Mobile: 086 867 2153. Email: michael@ien.ie
Danny Walsh. Communications Officer, Environment Pillar of Social Partnership -
Mobile: 086 8127139. Email: danny@ien.ie
The current drought in east Africa is a stark reminder of the devastating impact which climate change is having in the developing world.
Ireland can take a positive step to combat climate change by passing a strong climate bill, ensuring that we take the action needed to stop climate change.
You can help by taking online action with Trocaire. Please click here to ask Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan T.D. to implement strong climate legislation and show the government that Ireland needs to take concrete action on climate change!
Ireland’s longest-running Sustainable Living Festival is currently hosting events in several locations throughout the country. Set up by Cultivate to celebrate the strength of communities and social inclusion, as well as to emphasise Ireland’s need to build a sustainable economy and society, Convergence 2011 started on June 16th and will run until June 27th.
A wide variety of interesting events have been organised, including documentary screenings, workshops, showcases and lectures. With many of the events free of cost, Convergence is a great opportunity to get involved and learn more about sustainability in Ireland.
Events to watch out for over the coming days include the Dublin City Mass Cycle, a talk in Nenagh by Duncan Stewart on “Green Jobs in Rural Ireland”, the Green Limerick Workshop, the Cork Showcase presenting highlights of Green Works, and the Totally Tipperary celebration of local food and culture.
To find out more about Convergence events happening near you, please click here.
Set yourself a challenge this September by running in the Killarney Women’s Mini-Marathon!
While a perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Killarney National Park, it also gives you the chance to raise money for VOICE and the important work we do in promoting environmental awareness in Ireland!
The Killarney Women’s Marathon will take place on September 10th 2011 and you can find out more here.
If you are interested in running for VOICE Ireland, please contact info@voiceireland.org
Below is an article from the Guardian detailing the International Energy Agency’s unpublished findings that carbon emissions rose by a record amount last year. As a consequence, aims to prevent global temperatures from rising by 2 degrees Celsius are likely to be just “a nice Utopia”, according to Fatih Birol, chief economist of the IEA. VOICE Ireland hopes that the Irish government will heed this warning, and take concrete action to cut carbon emissions.
Fiona Harvey, Environment correspondent
The Guardian, Sunday 29 May
Economic recession has failed to curb rising emissions, undermining hope of keeping global warming to safe levels Photograph: Dave Reede/All Canada Photos/Corbis
Greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to safe levels all but out of reach, according to unpublished estimates from the International Energy Agency.
The shock rise means the goal of preventing a temperature rise of more than 2 degrees Celsius – which scientists say is the threshold for potentially “dangerous climate change” – is likely to be just “a nice Utopia”, according to Fatih Birol, chief economist of the IEA. It also shows the most serious global recession for 80 years has had only a minimal effect on emissions, contrary to some predictions. Read more.
VOICE welcomes the UK Government’s pledge to halve carbon emissions by 2025, based on a comparison with 1990 levels. Below is an article from today’s Guardian, which claims this move represents “the most ambitious targets on greenhouse gases of any developed country”. We hope that the Irish government will soon follow suit, and make a similarly strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Chris Huhne pledges to halve UK carbon emissions by 2025
by Fiona Harvey and Allegra Stratton
The Guardian, Tuesday 17 May 2011
The UK is to put in place the most ambitious targets on greenhouse gases of any developed country, by halving carbon dioxide emissions by 2025, after a tumultuous week of cabinet rifts on the issue.
Agreeing the targets took weeks of wrangling among ministers, but late on Tuesday afternoon the energy and climate secretary, Chris Huhne, announced to parliament that the “carbon budget” – a 50% emissions cut averaged across the years 2023 to 2027, compared with 1990 levels – would be enshrined in law.
Connie Hedegaard, the European Union’s climate change chief, hailed the outcome as “very encouraging” and “an example” to other countries, which she said showed that countries could pursue economic growth while cutting emissions. “This is a recognition that to be very ambitious on public spending [cuts] does not mean you can’t be ambitious on climate change targets,” she told the Guardian. Read more at this link.
The annual Guth Gafa International Documentary Film Festival, now in its 6th year, will take place in Gortahork, Co. Donegal from 10th-14th June.
You can find out more details on their website www.guthgafa.com
Interested in transport and planning? Here’s a great video on parking policy and how it can make a big difference in cities where space is short.
MBA: Parking Reform from Streetfilms on Vimeo.
Young Friends of the Earth Ireland is holding a rally today outside the Dail at 13:30.
You have a chance to be part of the solution. Join the Rally For Environmental Justice at Dáil Eireann, Dublin City on Wednesday 1:30pm March 23rd. Bring your friends, put on some facepaints, bring drums, music, whatever! And come for drinks in the Pint bar after!
It’s our future. Let’s show that we’re willing to fight for it
Presented by SEAI, the Energy Show is a must for industry and business to see and learn about the latest sustainable energy technologies and practices. This annual two-day exhibition showcases leading energy suppliers and the latest innovative products and services. You can also get a wealth of tips from best practice case studies and insights into sustainable energy opportunities at the extensive seminar programme.
For more information, click here to be directed to the official SEAI Energy Show 2011 website.
Programme for government strong on aspirations to tackle urgent environmental challenges but weak on details of credible policy initiatives.
Climate change, sustainable water management, renewable energy and waste management are long-fingered with vague timetables, an exception being the long-overdue open debate on GMOs that will be warmly welcomed by farmers and consumers alike.
Most welcome is the pledge to finally sign the Arhus Convention giving rights to access environmental information and justice, rights already enjoyed by other European citizens.
The Fine Gael/Labour coalition published its agreed Programme for Government 2011-2016 on ahead of the Labour conference that look place last Sunday in UCD. The Labour delegates approved the programme, thus propelling Labour into government for the first time since 1997.
Tag cloud of the Programme for Government (Credit: Piers Dillon Scott)
Over the past few days VOICE has analysed the environmental credibility of the Programme for Government and now present our findings.
You can read our summary or, if you have the time, keep reading to find out our verdict on the policies of Ireland’s new government.
